2010 Kyrgyz parliamentary election

Last updated

2010 Kyrgyz parliamentary election
Flag of Kyrgyzstan (1992-2023).svg
←  2007 10 October 2010 (2010-10-10) 2015  →
All 120 seats in the Supreme Council
61 seats needed for a majority
Turnout59.19% (Decrease2.svg 14.68pp)
PartyLeaderVote %Seats+/–
Ata-Zhurt Kamchybek Tashiev 15.8928New
SDPK Almazbek Atambayev 14.6926+15
Ar-Namys Felix Kulov 14.2125+25
Respublika Ömürbek Babanov 13.0223New
Ata-Meken Omurbek Tekebayev 10.3118+18
This lists parties that won seats. See the complete results below.
Chairwoman of the Transitional Technical Government before Prime Minister after
Roza Otunbayeva
SDPK 		Almazbek Atambayev
SDPK

Early parliamentary elections were held in Kyrgyzstan on 10 October 2010. [1] All 120 seats of the Supreme Council were elected by the party list system. [2] [3] Seats were allocated to all parties who obtained more than 5% of the vote overall and more than 0.5% in each of the nine provinces, capped at 65 seats per party. [4]

Contents

Ata-Zhurt won a plurality of seats, while the ruling Social Democratic Party finished second and Ar-Namys came third.

Background

In April 2010, President Kurmanbek Bakiyev was ousted, which brought to power an interim government led by Roza Otunbayeva. [5] An election and reform plan was unveiled on 19 April 2010. [6] A referendum in June overwhelmingly approved a reform to turn the country from a presidential system to a parliamentary system. [7] The new constitution would allow the parliament to choose a prime minister and also to play a key role in forming the new government.

Kyrgyzstan's geostrategic location is vital because it supplies the War in Afghanistan through the Manas Air Base, and it is also the only country to host both an American and Russian base. Political developments in 2010 also pleased the US but were an annoyance to Russia, who warned that the first parliamentary democracy in Central Asia could be catastrophic for Kyrgyzstan. [8] Russia also considers the area as its sphere of influence.

Originally, the presidential elections were to be held on the same day. However, these were delayed until October 2011, with Otunbayeva remaining president until 31 December 2011. [9]

Electoral system

In the previous election, there were 90 seats, though this was increased to 120 after the constitutional referendum. [10]

According to Article 77 of the Kyrgyz Republic Code on Elections, the threshold for the allotment of seats is receiving five percent of the votes of all eligible voters entered on the voter rolls. For this reason, only the top five parties (Ata-Zhurt, SDPK, Ar-Namys, Respublika and Ata-Meken) were allotted seats. The sixth party, Butun Kyrgyzstan, received more than five percent of the votes cast, but because it did not receive more than five percent of the votes of all eligible voters entered on the voter rolls, it was not allotted any seats. [11]

Article 77 also requires parties to win 0.5% of the votes of all eligible voters in each oblast of Kyrgyzstan, as well as the cities of Bishkek and Osh. Though Ata-Zhurt won the plurality of the vote, especially with their southern stronghold, an electoral official said they barely overcame the 0.5% barrier in Bishkek and in Chüy Region. [12]

Campaign

Over 3,000 candidates from 29 political parties competed for the 120 seats, with the BBC saying that no party could easily win a majority and the result was hard to predict. Leaflets distributed in the south of the country urged people "not to tolerate" parties led by northerners, in a sign of remaining tensions following the 2010 South Kyrgyzstan riots. [13]

Ar-Namys opposed the newly founded parliamentary system and said it would restore the older system of presidential rule. [14] Ata-Zhurt campaigned for the return of Bakiyev [15] from his exile in Belarus, and also advocated a return to presidential rule.

Roza Otunbayeva vowed to uphold a "spirit of fairness and transparency." She also talked of the importance of the election: "These elections are of fateful importance for our people and state. We are not just electing a parliament but starting a new system and opening a new page in our history." [2] A month before election she threatened to introduce a state of emergency, and as a result postpone voting if parties escalated tensions in the country. [16]

Opinion polls

It said six parties were expected to exceed the 5% threshold and win seats. [17]

A poll of 1,500 people in late September by Perspectiva showed seven parties crossing the 5% threshold to win seats:

PartyLeaderPercentage [4] [18] [19]
Ata Meken Socialist Party Omurbek Tekebayev 14.6%
Social Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan Almazbek Atambaev 10.5%
Ata-Zhurt Kamchybek Tashiyev 9.9%
Respublika Party Omurbek Babanov 8.7%
Akshumkar Temir Sariyev 6.9%
Ar-Namys Felix Kulov 6.9%
United Kyrgyzstan Adakhan Madumarov 5.7%
Other13.8%
Undecided23%

The Kyrgyz nationalist party, Ata-Zhurt, were expected to do well among ethnic Kyrgyz in the south. Ata-Meken and the SPDK were supporters of the interim administration. [2]

Conduct

The organisations conducting monitoring were in the first positions among NGO according to Mass Media for the period from August till October. Traditionally these are: "For Democracy and a Civil Society" Coalition of NGO, "Taza Shailoo" Association. [20] The "Free generation" Liberal Youth Alliance for the first time joined the supervision organization, and young men became target audience. [21] On the day of voting in 127 stations of the country, young short-term observers carried out monitoring of electoral rights within the limits of the campaign "Youth for fair elections. Let's prove it!" [22]

The elections were observed by 850 international monitors from 32 organisations, including 300 monitors from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe. [2] [3] The international team of observers hailed the vote, with the OSCE team saying the election were a step in the "further consolidation of the democratic process." [14] While the observers said that this was unlike other elections in the past and did not have the same irregularities, they did point out some peculiarities whereas the Central Election Commission were underprepared for the polls, and such ""under-the-counter dealings" may have taken place. Only one observer had a negative reaction to the vote, though most were satisfied that this was a "step in the right direction." [23]

Otunbayeva, who had refused to push back the election despite warnings of potential new unrest, hailed the election: "We have not known such elections for the last 20 years." [24] Despite her comments, the government was reported to have been "plunged into a state of shock" over the results. Russia's Kommersant reported that the victory of Ata-Zhurt was a blow to the interim government.

Kamchibek Tashiyev, the head of Ata-Zhurt, said he had been attacked. "They broke in like bandits...I think they intended to shoot me. I believe they tried to eliminate me – the forces that want to cancel election results and impose a state of emergency. I know for sure, GSNB (security services) was ( sic ) behind these actions." [25] Protestors attacked the offices of the Ata-Zhurt party, burned campaign leaflets and demanded they be banned from the vote. Zarylbek Rysaliyev, the interior minister, also claimed to know of about 10 "areas of potential clashes with some hotheads planning to snatch ballot boxes." [3] There were also concerns in the international media of a renewal of ethnic strife that occurred earlier in the year. [26] [27]

Results

Kirghizistan Conseil supreme 2010.svg
PartyVotes%Seats+/–
Ata-Zhurt 257,10015.8928New
Social Democratic Party 237,63414.6926+15
Ar-Namys 229,91614.2125+25
Respublika 210,59413.0223New
Ata Meken Socialist Party 166,71410.3118+18
United Kyrgyzstan 139,5488.630New
Akshumkar 78,6734.860New
Zamandash  [ ky ]55,9073.460New
Meken Yntymagy 46,0702.850New
Commonwealth35,5602.200New
Birikken Eldik Kiymyly32,3552.000New
Akiykat24,4311.510New
Greens Party of Kyrgyzstan11,0560.680New
People's Democratic Party10,9600.680New
Egemen Kyrgyzstan9,3380.580New
Republican People's Party8,5740.530New
Party of Communists 7,8180.480−8
Party of Afghan War Veterans 7,4870.460New
SSR Union5,7760.360New
April 7 Youth Movement5,4840.340New
Aikol El5,3110.330New
Union of Peoples of Kyrgyzstan5,0660.310New
Kyrgyzstan Housebuilders Party4,4750.280New
Jashasyn Kyrgyzstan3,9370.240New
Party of Economic Revival1,9350.120New
Kaganat1,8020.110New
Ak-Tilek1,7840.110New
Ak Sanat9390.060New
Liberal Progressive Party6710.040New
Against all10,8390.670–
Total1,617,754100.00120+30
Valid votes1,617,75496.31
Invalid/blank votes61,9563.69
Total votes1,679,710100.00
Registered voters/turnout2,837,98959.19
Source: Central Commission for Elections and Referendums

Reactions

The result was also called a surprise because of the victory of Ata-Zhurt and its calls for Bakiyev's return, despite the election taking place under the auspices of the government that overthrew him. Thus this result "would seem to neutralize the uprising" earlier in the year. With a razor-thin plurality, the party would need an alliance of two other parties but it was seen as an "unenviable task" to form a coalition. A weak government could even force another election before the government's mandate runs out. Parallels were also drawn to the failure to form a government in Iraq following the general election there and the possibility for more instability. Furthermore, there was uncertainty in regards to the American-leased Manas air base as Ata-Zurt campaigned against extending the lease past 2011. [15]

An analyst in Kazakhstan also suggested the election would "face its toughest test" if the losers opt to challenge the results in both the courts and the streets. "If certain people know they will lose their high-ranking posts after the election, then it's in their interest to destabilise the situation. They could take steps to remain in power or create chaos." [3]

The Washington Post said the biggest surprise of the election was that it was "not a foregone conclusion," and thus it made this "small...nation the first in Central Asia to hold free elections in pursuit of a democratic system." It also quoted Alexey Malashenko of the Carnegie Moscow Center who said "These elections were very successful because they took place at all. Kyrgyzstan showed it is an exception in Central Asia. Despite many predictions to the contrary, the elections were held." [28] US President Barack Obama congratulated Kyrgyzstan for this "historic" election, and said it proved that the Kyrgyz people were "committed to power transfers by peaceful, democratic means." Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said he feared there would be "difficulties" after the poll. "An abrupt shift to a parliamentary model can create difficulties...Now some difficult work to form a coalition lies ahead." [29]

Aftermath

The result was seen as setting the stage for a fractured legislature without much capacity for decision-making, with Ar-Namys likely to play the role of kingmaker. [14]

Following the election, SDPK, Respublika and Ata-Meken agreed on a coalition in late November. [30] However, as soon as the coalition was officially agreed to on 2 December, it collapsed when it failed to elect a speaker of parliament (with only 58 of the 67 coalition MPs voting for the designated speaker in a secret vote). [31]

On 15 December Respublika announced it had successfully negotiated the creation of a coalition government with SDPK and Ata-Zhurt. SDPK's Almazbek Atambayev became Prime Minister with 92-seats in the 120-seat chamber, [32] Ata-Zhurt's Akhmatbek Keldibekov was chosen as Speaker of Parliament with 101 to 14 votes [33] and Respublika's Omurbek Babanov would then become Deputy Prime Minister. [34] The new government was approved later on the same day.[ citation needed ]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elections in Kyrgyzstan</span>

Kyrgyzstan elects on the national level a head of state – the president – and a legislature. The president is elected for a tenure of single six-year term by the people. The Supreme Council is composed of 120 members filled by proportional representation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2005 Kyrgyz parliamentary election</span>

Parliamentary elections were held in Kyrgyzstan on 27 February and 13 March 2005. The belief that the elections had been rigged by the government led to widespread protests, culminating in the Tulip Revolution on 24 March in which President Askar Akayev was overthrown.

The Tulip Revolution, also known as the First Kyrgyz Revolution, led to then-President Askar Akayev's fall from power. The revolution began after parliamentary elections on 27 February and 13 March 2005. The revolutionaries alleged corruption and authoritarianism by Akayev, his family and supporters. Akayev fled to Kazakhstan and then to Russia. On 4 April 2005, at the Kyrgyz embassy in Moscow, Akayev signed his resignation statement in the presence of a Kyrgyz parliamentary delegation. The resignation was ratified by the Kyrgyz interim parliament on 11 April 2005.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roza Otunbayeva</span> President of Kyrgyzstan from 2010 to 2011

Roza Isakovna Otunbayeva is a Kyrgyz diplomat and politician who served as the President of Kyrgyzstan from 7 April 2010 until 1 December 2011, becoming the first female Central Asian head of state. She was sworn in on July 3, 2010, after acting as interim leader following the 2010 April Revolution, which led to the ousting of President Kurmanbek Bakiyev. She previously served as Minister of Foreign Affairs and as head of the parliamentary caucus for the Social Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan. She is also known for the persecution of human rights activist Azimzhan Askarov and the failed policy that led to the clashes of June 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kurmanbek Bakiyev</span> President of Kyrgyzstan from 2005 to 2010

Kurmanbek Saliyevich Bakiyev is a Kyrgyz politician who served as the second president of Kyrgyzstan, from 2005 to 2010. Large opposition protests in April 2010 led to the takeover of government offices, forcing Bakiyev to flee the country.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Omurbek Tekebayev</span> Kyrgyzstani politician

Omurbek Chirkeshovich Tekebayev is a Kyrgyz politician. He was Speaker of the Kyrgyz Parliament from March 2005 to March 2006. Tekebaev is the leader of the Ata-Meken socialist party. Currently, he serves as the ambassador of the Kyrgyz Republic to Germany.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Social Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan</span> Political party in Kyrgyzstan

The Social Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan was a centre-left political party in Kyrgyzstan. The SDPK was one of the oldest and largest political parties in the country. The party took an active part in the Tulip Revolution and the 2010 Revolution. The party's members included three presidents of Kyrgyzstan: Roza Otunbayeva, Almazbek Atambayev and Sooronbay Jeenbekov.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ata Meken Socialist Party</span> Political party in Kyrgyzstan

The Ata-Meken Socialist Party is a social-democratic political party in Kyrgyzstan. Its current Chairman and founder is Omurbek Tekebayev, who is a former speaker of the Kyrgyz Parliament. The party was registered on December 16, 1992, following a split between Tekebayev and the conservative Erkin Kyrgyzstan party. Ata-Meken eventually moved into the centre-left of the political spectrum.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2007 Kyrgyz parliamentary election</span>

Early parliamentary elections were held in Kyrgyzstan on 16 December 2007. The election was called by President Kurmanbek Bakiyev after the constitutional referendum on 21 October 2007 approved a new electoral system and constitutional reform proposals, enlarging the parliament to 90 MPs and introducing party-list voting.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2011 Kyrgyz presidential election</span>

Early presidential elections were held in Kyrgyzstan on 30 October 2011 to replace Interim President Roza Otunbayeva. Former Prime Minister Almazbek Atambayev of the Social Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan won in the first round.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2010 Kyrgyz constitutional referendum</span> Referendum that made Kyrgyzstan a parliamentary republic

A constitutional referendum was held in Kyrgyzstan on 27 June 2010 to reduce presidential powers and strengthen democracy in the wake of the riots earlier in the year. Parliamentary elections followed on 10 October 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2010 Kyrgyz Revolution</span> Revolution that overthrew President Kurmanbek Bakiyev

The 2010 Kyrgyz Revolution, also known as the Second Kyrgyz Revolution, the Melon Revolution, the April Events or officially as the People's April Revolution, began in April 2010 with the ousting of Kyrgyz president Kurmanbek Bakiyev in the capital Bishkek. It was followed by increased ethnic tension involving Kyrgyz people and Uzbeks in the south of the country, which escalated in June 2010. The violence ultimately led to the consolidation of a new parliamentary system in Kyrgyzstan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ata-Zhurt</span> Political party in Kyrgyzstan

Ata-Zhurt is a political party in Kyrgyzstan. Its political base is in the south of the country, but the party is headquartered in the capital, Bishkek. In 2014, it merged with the Respublika party to create Respublika–Ata Zhurt, but the two parties ended up splitting again four months before the parliamentary elections of 2020, in which Ata-Zhurt instead formed a joint list with Mekenim Kyrgyzstan. After the results of that vote were annulled, Ata-Zhurt contested the 2021 elections independently and came in first with 19% of the vote. The party is led by Kamchybek Tashiyev, and has previously supported the ousted former President Kurmanbek Bakiyev.

Respublika is a political party in Kyrgyzstan. The party was formed in June 2010. Founded by Ömürbek Babanov, he served as its chairman until 2014, and during this time the party had a pro-Russia orientation. In 2014, the party merged with Ata-Zhurt to create Respublika–Ata Zhurt. However, the two parties ended up splitting back in 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bakyt Torobayev</span> Kyrgyz politician (born 1973)

Bakyt Ergeshevich Torobayev is a Kyrgyz politician who has been the leader of the Onuguu-Progress party since 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United Kyrgyzstan</span> Political party in Kyrgyzstan

United Kyrgyzstan is a nationalist political party in Kyrgyzstan founded in 2010. It is generally more popular in the south of the country. The party is led by Adakhan Madumarov, who unsuccessfully ran for president of Kyrgyzstan in 2011 and 2017, coming second and third, respectively. It holds an ethnic nationalist ideology and supports a presidential system of government. The party was originally created to support Kyrgyz migrant laborers in Russia. The party won its first seats in the Supreme Council in the October 2020 parliamentary election, which was subsequently annulled. The party passed the 3% threshold in the 2021 parliamentary election and therefore is represented in the national legislature.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 Kyrgyz parliamentary election</span> Parliamentary election in Kyrgyzstan

Parliamentary elections were held in Kyrgyzstan on 4 October 2020. The results showed that pro-government parties had won a supermajority of seats. The election was subsequently annulled by the Central Election Commission during the 2020 Kyrgyzstan protests.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Birimdik</span> Political party in Kyrgyzstan

Birimdik officially the Party of Democratic Socialism—Eurasian Choice "Birimdik" is a pro-Jeenbekov political party in Kyrgyzstan, founded in 2005 as the Birimdik Democratic Party. On May 8, 2013 it was registered with the current name. The party includes many former officials and deputies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 Kyrgyz Revolution</span> Protests against the October 2020 parliamentary election

The 2020 Kyrgyz Revolution, also known as the Third Kyrgyz Revolution or October Events, began on 5 October 2020, in response to the previous day's parliamentary election that was perceived by protestors as unfair, with allegations of electoral fraud. The results of the election were annulled on 6 October 2020. On 12 October 2020, President Jeenbekov announced a state of emergency in the capital city of Bishkek, which was approved by Parliament the following day. Jeenbekov resigned on 15 October 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Social Democrats (Kyrgyzstan)</span> Political party in Kyrgyzstan

The Social Democrats is a political party in Kyrgyzstan founded in late 2019 by supporters of former President Almazbek Atambayev – legal successor from the Social Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan (SDKP). After a conflict between Atambaev and his successor President Sooronbai Jeenbekov emerged and deepened in 2018, Atambayev accused of Jeenbekov in attempting to seize authority over the SDKP, a party that Atambayev himself formed in 1990s and served as a leader of. The SDK participated in the annulled 2020 parliamentary election. The current party leader is Temirlan Sultanbekov.

References

  1. ↑ "Kyrgyzstan to hold presidential elections in late 2011 – People's Daily Online". English.people.com.cn. 21 May 2010. Retrieved 21 August 2010.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Kyrgyzstan set for crucial vote. Al Jazeera . 9 October 2010.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Kyrgyz storm political party HQ, Al Jazeera , 6 October 2010.
  4. 1 2 "Factbox: Facts about Kyrgyzstan's election". Reuters. 9 October 2010.
  5. ↑ "Presidential vote in Kyrgyzstan in 6 months: interim leader – People's Daily Online". English.people.com.cn. 8 April 2010. Retrieved 21 August 2010.
  6. ↑ "Kyrgyz Interim Government Unveils Reform Plan To 'return To Democracy'". Rttnews.com. 19 April 2010. Retrieved 21 August 2010.
  7. ↑ "Kyrgyzstan's new leaders set October election date". BBC News. 22 April 2010. Retrieved 21 August 2010.
  8. ↑ "No clear winner in Kyrgyzstan poll – Central & South Asia". Al Jazeera English. Retrieved 12 October 2010.
  9. ↑ "Kyrgyzstan's interim leader Otunbayeva to be president to 2011 [ WORLD BULLETIN- TURKEY NEWS, WORLD NEWS ]". World Bulletin / News from Turkey and Islamic World. Worldbulletin.net. 19 May 2010. Retrieved 21 August 2010.
  10. ↑ Inter-Parliamentary Union. "IPU PARLINE database: KYRGYZSTAN (Jogorku Kenesh), Last elections". Ipu.org. Retrieved 12 October 2010.
  11. ↑ "Выборы депутатов Жогорку Кенеша Кыргызской Республики (Russian)". Shailoo. Retrieved 14 October 2010.
  12. ↑ "Election commission confirms five parties' pass into Kyrgyz new parliament". News.xinhuanet.com. Archived from the original on 7 November 2012. Retrieved 12 October 2010.
  13. ↑ "Kyrgyzstan set to hold landmark parliamentary election". BBC News. 9 October 2010.
  14. 1 2 3 Vladimir Radyuhin (18 July 2010). "News / International : No clear winner in Kyrgyzstan poll". The Hindu. Chennai, India. Retrieved 12 October 2010.
  15. 1 2 "Kyrgyzstan election results may lead to further instability". Allvoices.com. Archived from the original on 13 March 2012. Retrieved 12 October 2010.
  16. ↑ "Отунбаева готова ввести чрезвычайное положение, если партии начнут "эскалацию ситуации" (Russian)". Kloop. 7 September 2010.
  17. ↑ Kyrgyzstan goes to polls, The Hindu , 9 October 2010.
  18. ↑ Three parties lead heading into Sunday's Kyrgyz election Archived 8 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine , Central Asian Newswire, 8 October 2010.
  19. ↑ В Кыргызстане социологический опрос консорциума «Перспектива» показал, что в парламент проходят шесть партий из 29, участвующих в выборах (Russian), 24.kg, 30 September 2010.
  20. ↑ "В Кыргызстане о намерении проводить независимое наблюдение на парламентских выборах объявили три НПО (Russian)".
  21. ↑ "29.08.2010 В Кыргызстане при поддержке ОБСЕ стартует гражданская кампания "Молодежь за свободные выборы" (Russian)". Archived from the original on 22 July 2011.
  22. ↑ "Parliamentary elections in Kyrgyzstan were "transparent", but with impaired | in Russia and CIS (English)".[ permanent dead link ]
  23. ↑ "eng.24.kg". Archived from the original on 20 October 2010. Retrieved 15 October 2010.
  24. ↑ "Opposition Leads in Kyrgyz Elections, No Party Achieves Absolute Majority 11/10/2010". Almanar.com.lb. Retrieved 12 October 2010.[ permanent dead link ]
  25. ↑ "Breaking News, World News and Video from al Jazeera".
  26. ↑ Harding, Luke (10 October 2010). "Uzbek minority still faces persecution as Kyrgyzstan goes to polls". The Guardian. London.
  27. ↑ "Kyrgyzstan votes in landmark poll". BBC News. 10 October 2010.
  28. ↑ Lally, Kathy (12 October 2010). "A nascent democratic step in Kyrgyzstan". The Washington Post.
  29. ↑ http://www.almanar.com.lb/newssite/NewsDetails.aspx?id=157669&language=en%5B%5D
  30. ↑ "Three Kyrgyz parties agree to form government - People's Daily Online".
  31. ↑ "eng.24.kg". Archived from the original on 22 July 2011. Retrieved 3 December 2010.
  32. ↑ "Breaking News, World News and Video from al Jazeera".
  33. ↑ "Kyrgyzstan Elects Parliament Speaker".
  34. ↑ "Kyrgyz Parties in Coalition Agreement".
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.